A joint Iraqi-French archaeological mission, including researchers from the University of Strasbourg, has begun its second field season at Al-Salibiyat in Dhi Qar, discovering three previously undocumented archaeological mounds and investigating an ancient course of the Euphrates River.

Kadhim Hassoun, a member of the Iraqi team, said researchers are using drones, field surveys, and advanced geophysical techniques to identify buried structures and map archaeological remains. The survey covers approximately 10,000 square meters, with further work planned for the next season. The mission is also training Iraqi archaeological staff in modern survey and excavation methods.

The team previously identified an ancient river channel and structures believed to have served as a harbor or vessel mooring point, though their exact function remains uncertain.

French mission leader Philippe Quenet said preliminary findings indicate human occupation spanning approximately 6000 to 500 BC, with significant evidence dating to the second millennium BC. Researchers are opening test trenches to examine soil layers and establish the site's chronology.

Team member Géraldine Mastelli said the research aims to reconstruct the daily lives of ancient inhabitants, including their diets, living patterns, and social relationships, while examining how the settlement interacted with the Euphrates and neighboring cities.

Archaeologists also noted possible remains from the Sealand Dynasty, which may point to periods of flooding or connections with ancient marshlands. However, further research is needed to confirm these interpretations. The site is particularly significant because systematic archaeological surveying is being conducted there for the first time, offering new insights into the region's long history.